No human being is free from trials. Some lose loved ones, some suffer through illness, others face financial struggles, broken relationships, or even the consequences of past mistakes. In my life, the hardest test was prison. Yet, through those challenges, I discovered something powerful: practicing Islam does not erase hardship but brings peace in the middle of it.
The Qur’an on Hardship and Ease
Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
“For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Qur’an 94:5–6)
Notice how this verse repeats itself to emphasize that no test comes without relief. This is not only a promise but also a perspective shift. A believer does not ask “Why me?” but trusts that every struggle carries hidden wisdom and growth.
The lives of the Prophets illustrate this truth:
· Prophet Ayyub (AS) endured years of illness yet remained patient, becoming a model of perseverance.
· Prophet Yusuf (AS) was betrayed, enslaved, and imprisoned, yet his reliance on Allah turned hardship into eventual honor.
· Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself faced loss, exile, and persecution, but his faith turned pain into strength.
Their examples remind us that hardship is not the end but the beginning of transformation.
My Experience: Struggling in Prison
Incarceration is designed to strip people of hope. I experienced separation from family, uncertainty about the future, and the stigma of society’s judgment. The weight of regret was crushing.
But through Islam, I learned that hardship is not always punishment; sometimes it is purification. Salah became my anchor, dhikr became my medicine, and the Qur’an became my daily guide. What could have destroyed me instead shaped me into someone new.
I realized that peace does not mean an absence of pain. It means finding calmness through surrender to Allah.
How Islam Cultivates Peace in Hardship
1. Salah (Prayer) as an Anchor
Prayer interrupts cycles of worry and reminds us we are never alone. Each sujood is a moment of relief, placing our burdens before Allah. The Prophet ﷺ would say to Bilal: “O Bilal, give us comfort with it [the prayer].”
2. Sawm (Fasting) as Discipline
Fasting during hardship teaches patience. Resiliency grows when the stomach is empty, yet the heart is full of dhikr. Hunger becomes a reminder that life is bigger than immediate comfort.
3. Charity as Healing
Even in difficulty, giving to others lightens the heart. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi) Acts of providing shift focus from self-pity to compassion.
4. Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Surrendering to Allah’s decree is not weakness; it is liberation. Trusting that Allah’s plan is better than ours turns fear into hope.
The Psychology of Faith in Hardship
Modern psychology confirms what Islam has long taught: people of faith are more resilient during trials. Studies show that spiritual practices:
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Increase optimism and coping skills
- Provide community support and meaning in suffering
But Islam adds something unique: the belief in divine wisdom. While psychology offers coping mechanisms, Islam offers assurance that hardship has meaning and reward.
5 Daily Practices for Peace During Hardship
Here are simple but powerful steps any Muslim can take when tested:
· Pray Two Rak’ahs of Duha or Tahajjud: Extra prayers bring light and tranquility to the heart.
· Repeat Dhikr: Say “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” (There is no power or might except with Allah) to remind yourself of His control.
· Read Stories of the Prophets: The Qur’an was revealed to strengthen the heart; their examples offer comfort.
· Give Small Charity: Even a smile, a kind word, or helping someone is charity that lifts the soul.
· Make Du’a with Certainty: Ask Allah sincerely, believing He will answer best.
The Peace That Confuses the World
Many people cannot understand how Muslims find calm in tragedy. They ask: “How can someone be so at peace in such a struggle?” The answer lies in surrender. Peace does not come from wealth, comfort, or circumstances. It comes from placing full reliance on Allah.
This is why Islam often creates peace that confuses the world: a believer can lose everything yet still stand firm, because their anchor is unshakable.
Reflection for the Reader
Take a moment to ask yourself:
· What trial are you facing right now?
· How could salah, patience, or dhikr transform your response to it?
· Do you genuinely believe that with hardship comes ease?
My Journey of Faith Through Tests
In my book, Practicing Islam in Prison and Society, I share my personal story of enduring one of life’s most complex tests, imprisonment, and how Islam gave me peace when everything else was stripped away.
If you face public or private challenges, my journey may remind you that peace is possible even in the darkest times. Islam doesn’t remove hardship but transforms it into hope, resilience, and a path back to Allah.
The Role of Community Support
While Islam emphasizes individual patience, it also encourages leaning on the community. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The believers are like a single body; if one part feels pain, the rest shares in it.”
In hardship, surrounding ourselves with people of faith, even virtually, strengthens resilience.
Hope Beyond the Trial
Hardships not only purify but also elevate. The Prophet ﷺ reminded us that no fatigue, grief, or worry afflicts a believer without Allah erasing sins because of it. Trials are not wasted; they are investments in the Hereafter. This perspective transforms pain into a source of hope.
Transform Hardship into Hope: Discover the Power of Faith
If you or someone you love is enduring hardship, “Practicing Islam in Prison and Society” is more than a memoir; it is a guide to turning trials into resilience. Discover how faith can restore peace even in life’s darkest chapters.